Waste management is currently one of the most important global issues. In 2019, the International Labour Organization revealed that 2.01 billion tons of solid waste were produced in the world annually. Just 16% of the global solid waste is recycled. To address the waste management problem, a Nigerian entrepreneur is betting on technology.  

In November 2021, Nigerian entrepreneur Damilola Kadiri (photo) launched Wura, an item-sharing app whose sole purpose is to save the planet. Through Wura, users can share things they no longer need, be they used clothes, books, shoes, jewelry, or even earpieces. So far as they can be useful, they are welcome on Wura. 

To post or recover items on Wura, users have to register on the app and abide by its golden rules. The said golden rules were drafted by Damilola Kadiri to avoid bad situations when exchanging items through his platform.  All items are free and users are asked to report anyone selling items through Wura. Also, users are cautioned to receive items only from people with profile pictures. The rules also request users to appreciate givers, request items with compassionate words and meetup in public, and follow Covid-19 prevention rules. 

With 354 registered users and 47 donations so far, Wura plans to positively impact Nigerians by showing them how everyday actions affect the environment. “For now, we are looking at increasing the number of transactions on the app and sign-ups, then over time, what we intend to do is promote sustainability businesses. So I feel that would be an avenue for us to generate profit. As I said, the idea is to change people’s behavior to be eco-friendly,” says Damilola Kadiri adding that he has no plans to commercialize the app for the time being.  

The app is available on android and iOS. Thanks to “an advanced analytical algorithm,” users are made aware of the environmental contribution of the transaction they make. By including such a feature, Wura developers expect users to change their attitude towards the environment once they start noticing the amount of carbon dioxide emissions they help reduce by not throwing away bulk items. 

Adoni Conrad Quenum